Several years ago I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and IBS. Among other treatments, it was suggested I try a low FODMAP diet. When I looked at the list I thought “well good gravy what am I allowed to eat?!” Ironically my regular gravies were off the list. I was determined to feel better and give it an honest go. As I learned how to adapt my favorite foods, I started realizing it wasn’t so bad. Like this recipe for Gluten Free Vanilla Ginger Pancakes. My family loves pancakes. We’ll do pancakes for dinner sometimes. I’ve been experimenting with different pancake recipes.

NuNaturals, known for their stevia products, sent me some of their newest products. I couldn’t wait to try them out. I’ve been using NuNaturals products for a few years now since stevia is allowed on the low FODMAP diet. I’m happy that NuNaturals has been adding gluten free and organic products to their line up too!

Mix all ingredients, except coconut oil, in mixer on medium. The whisk attachment of my mixer seemed to work best. Heat frying pan or skillet on medium heat. Add teaspoon of coconut oil then scoop or pour pancake batter in. I made medium size pancakes which ended up being plenty. These pancakes are very filling.

Once plated you can add a little extra Vanilla Ginger syrup on top and butter if you like. Because NuNaturals syrups use water, stevia, and extracts it is a good alternative to syrups containing high fructose corn syrup which is a no-no on the low-FODMAP diet. NuNaturals Organic Green Banana powder is gluten free and use low FODMAP friendly banana base but does not leave a banana taste when cooked/baked. The collagen peptides add protein to the pancakes and seems to make the batter thicken up a bit.

These pancakes were very filling. I gave myself 3 and half way through the 3rd one I hit a brick wall. I gave one of my son’s two of them and it filled him up.

I received the above mentioned NuNaturals products at no cost in order to complete an honest review. Any opinions expressed are my own.

I’ve mentioned it here and there before. I’ve been having, what I call, “stomach issues” for years. Only it’s not really my stomach it’s intestinal. The beginning of this year I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. I’ve been taking meds to treat it which really do help but I was still having “bad days” about once a week or so. I always linked it to days when I was a little more stressed at work or I had a worry on my mind. Talking to my doctor about this he thinks I may also have IBS along with my UC. Sooo, I’m going to see a dietician on Thursday. He wants me to try a low FODMAP diet. He says some people get relief from their symptoms with this diet. He can’t guarantee anything of course but I need to try it. I do NEED to because my symptoms are most inconvenient at work and other situations.

picture credit to wikipedia.org

I’ve never been on any diet in my life really. Sure I’ve tried to cut back on sugar. I did attempt to cut out lactose from my diet for a while before I knew what was really going on with the UC. I had only briefly heard about low FODMAP diet. I didn’t really know what it was. I looked it up and it seemed very overwhelming to me. Me, being someone who never had to follow anything like this before and now having to follow a pretty restrictive diet. A week before Thanksgiving and I have to make a BIG eating ….heck lifestyle change in regard to what I buy, what I eat, paying more attention to my food labels beyond sugar content, calories, and if something is natural or not.

Thanksgiving will not be what I’m used to. Turkey yes, stuffing no, mashed potatoes ok if it has real butter and lactose milk, apple pie is totally out of the question. I’m researching to see if there’s a way to make pumpkin pie on the diet. I do know I can make a blueberry or strawberry pie if I’m sure to use gluten free pie crust, real sugar, and real butter. But the more I research the more I think…I think I can do this. It won’t be so bad. Now the hardest part for me is going to be spending the money on gluten free flours, and finding gluten free things like granola bars that don’t have things like raisins, apples, and cherries in them.

So my question, does anyone else follow a low FODMAP diet? Any tips or recipes you’d like to share with me?